Brothers Jerry F. “Jay” Sharpe Jr. and Devron N. Sharpe run very different businesses in the Richmond area.

But the one person each trusted to keep their books was their mother, Andrea Peyton Sharpe.

“My mother was a bookkeeping whiz, but she also was loving and kindhearted,” said Jay Sharpe, who designs and produces unique jewelry.

Her integrity and people skills stood her in good stead in her three decades of work at the long-closed Bethlehem Center that was once a mainstay of social services in North Side and for a state agency.

Mrs. Sharpe, who struggled with health issues for two years, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Mr. Sharpe said. The Mechanicsville resident was 73.

A celebration of Mrs. Sharpe’s life will be held 3 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. The officiant will be Dr. A. Lincoln James Jr., pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, where Mrs. Sharpe was a longtime member.

A Richmond native and 1965 graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School, Mrs. Sharpe began her working life as a secretary. In 1969, she joined the then-thriving Bethlehem Center as a clerk-typist. Over time, she became well known for her energy, positive outlook and competence.

Along with assisting people, Mrs. Sharpe also rose to handle the center’s administration and was serving as the acting executive director when the center closed in 2001, Mr. Sharpe said.

She later worked part time for about 10 years in the payment office of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

Mr. Sharpe, who has been in the jewelry business for 31 years, said his mother played a key support role as his bookkeeper. His brother, Devron, a mechanic who has owned and operated Anytime Anywhere Truck & Trailer Repair since 1999, also relied on her skills in maintaining financial records.

Mrs. Sharpe also served as second vice president of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1965 alumni group and was a member of the kitchen ministry at Trinity Baptist where she helped prepare food for special events, Mr. Sharpe said. She also belonged to the church’s Daughters of Ruth and participated with other committees and activities, he said.

During the administration of Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, Mr. Sharpe recalled that his mother was among the cadre of volunteer greeters who welcomed guests to the Governor’s Mansion.

Along with her two sons, survivors include her husband, Jerry F. Sharpe Sr.; her mother, Elizabeth Stone Peyton; two brothers, Donald Peyton and Timothy Peyton; and two grandchildren.